Automatic train pipe connecter



Sept. 27, 1932. M' BARBER 1,879,021

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Filed March 9. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 27, 1932. M. BARBER 1,879,021

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Filed March 9, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 777m 0. @a/LZM/ Sept. 27, 1932. M A R E 1,879,021

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER I Filed March 9, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 1m 0 WM- res PATENT OFFICE]:

MARTIN A. BARBER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, .ASSIGNOR TO CONSOIiIDATED CONNECTOR PATENT CORPORATION, OF WILMINGTON, IDEIL.AIMAQlEtE nnronrnrro TRAIN, PIPE oonlvncrnn Application filed March 9,

This invention relates to automatic trainpipe connecters and more particularly to means for facilitating the interengagement of coacting heads which utilize a lock such as that illustrated in Patent No. 1,518,380, which was issued to me December 9th, 1924:. Briefly, the lock illustrated in such patent, comprises inter-engaging shoulders on the projection or horn, and on the coacting recess adjacent the lowermost bearing surface between the two coacting parts. The heads, while uncoupled, are normally tilted slightly upwardly. This slight upward inclination facilitates coupling of the heads. If for any reason one head should be substantially lower than the other, or if the adjustment of the normal inclination should become modified and should result in a downward inclination of the head, then there is apt to be a binding action between the coacting heads which the proper locking action.

Ihe lock illustrated in my previous patent is valuable however, as it insures automatic locking action between coacting connecter heads without the necessity for the use of locking members, which move relatively to, the head.

An object of the present invention is to permit the use of a lock illustrated in my patent,

and to insure an automatic coupling and look. ing action of coacting heads, notwithstanding any variation in the normal inclination of the uncoupled heads. In this connection, my invention is directed toward a construction which is well adapted for use in existing connecters and which possesses characteristics of simplicity and ruggedness of construction.

The preferred means for carrying out my invention is illustrated in the drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevationof automatic connecters embodying my invention on the adjacent ends of two cars in the act of being coupled or uncoupled; Fig. 2 is also a side 5 elevation of the connecters but showing their relative position when the cars are coupled;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of two connected heads; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4 1 in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one of the heads, and Fig. 6 is a secnecter.

would tend to prevent the accomplishment of 1929, Serial No. 345,866.,

tion'similar to that shown in-Fig. 4' and ilhisposition. 1 a V I In the various figures,10 indicates'a rail- 85 way car having the usual coupler 11, and bracket 12 extending downwardly from each coupler and supporting an automatic c on- The connecter shown, comprises a W head 13 which has a shank extendingrear- 0 wardly therefrom, and which is. mounted in the'bracket upon'a universaljoint indicated 1 in general at 15. Aspring 16 surrounds the shank and functions to urge the head for wardly of the bracket. The head normally 135 tilted slightly upwardly, as is shown in'Fig. 1, by means of a'r'od 9 which extends between the head and bracket, and by astop block 17,

which is mounted on the shank and'is disposed adj acent the rear face 18 of the bracket. '70

[Each head has a projection, or horn'20,

and a recess 21 in the form of a conduit which are disposed on opposite sides of the head, wh1le verticallyaligned ports'22, 23 and 24.

are disposed in each head between the pro-- 75. JGCtlOIl and recess. The lower port is adapted to be connected to a steam pipe 25, while the other ports are adapted to be connected to thesignal, and'air brakelines respectively, in the usual Way. v a

To effect a locking action between connected heads, the bottom bearing surface of each projection has a shoulder 26 while'the coacting surface on the recess has a shoulder. 27. :A more detailed explanation of the lock arrangement and connecter action is illus-' "trated, described and claimed ini my patent heretofore referred to.

In the lock shown and described,it is ob-- vious that an inter-engagement of the heads can be readily-made if the heads are tilted slightly. during the coupling operation.

, Such tilted position permits the locking r shouldersto clear each other during the c'ou-,-,

pling movement, andthen to 'move into locking engagement when the coupling operation is completed. If for any reason, however, either head-should be lowered from the nor mal position, then the top surfaces of the. horn and the coacting recess are apt to be .andgholds.thespringinplace: In..the exbrought into engagement before the shoulder on the horn can enter the recess, as is shown 1n Fig. 6. A continued coupling movement will then cause a binding action upon the bottom bearing surfaces of the horn and recess. This mayprevent connection between the heads; c

To alleviate this condition, I provide a yieldable member adjacent the top inter-en gagingsurfaces. Inlzthe-idrawings, the-vield able member takesihe'formofaba1l -30, l i

which is preferably mounted in the top wall of the recess, and is normally-urged"outward- 1y by a spring 31. A cap screw 33 encloses the opening in whichthe ball i's mounted' tended position, theiball projects beyond the bearingsurfacefiijof the recess, and is adaptoperation.

ed to be engaged by the inclined surface'35 of the.coacting horn during the coupling After the'headsaiie coupled, the springs l6-tendisto hold them in connected relation- -ship.; If the pressurevin the steampipe shouldfbecome; excessive however, .thereis a tendency. for the heads to separate at the bottom: and to pivot" about the top. This tendency is overcome by 1 the binding 5 action v ings:. ,the partingmresistance is increased;

which takes place. at the bottom'bearingsur- Vfaceswadjacentj the locking; shoulders. By

placing;the shoulders; above the axis ofthe steamzpipe, asshown in the VariousJdraW- portionatelyto the 'partingmfr'ort; V

, It, is thus apparent iffthe horn of: one

.headrshould rengagefthe vrecess 10f: a coacting head onothev upper bearing: surface; before engagement is-madez on thebottom surface r' a J .7 during 1 the: coupling; operation',- the spring pressed member; will yield sufficiently to permittheshoulderat therbottomiofzthehorn to move .into'the recess :on ;a;coacting head. It 7 is also .evidentthatrthe'yieldable .feature will permit: the; ecoactin-g-xshoulders: to. interlock, I

as soon as the heads areigmovedrtoutheqfinal connected'positionn v I I;claim:'.v

In 13.11 automatic: .trairr-v pipe :connecter, the icombinationwith a. pair: oftconnecter heads, 1

each havinga guiding projection and 1a conduit, 1a supp'ortzforeach head,..meansxasso- I. ciated with-the support-forholding. the heads 7 in a predetermined anguliar: position with reference..to the; support for coupling; purposese interengaging;shouldersv on i the two headssfors locking them together, and 1 yieldablemeans'carriedonone ofithe heads-opposite-the shouldera-for permitting the heads-to slide: together if: they approach atzany but theapredetermined ;angle.:.

Imtest mon-y whereof, iI 'hereunto-raffixgmy I signature-n V "MARTINLAL WBARBERL. 

